Ford · 1978–1993

Ford Mustang

The third-generation Mustang is a pony car manufactured and marketed by Ford from 1979–1993, using the company's Fox platform and colloquially called the Fox body Mustang. During its third generation, the Mustang evolved through several sub-models, trim levels, and drivetrain combinations during its production and seemed destined for replacement with a front-wheel drive Mazda platform. Company executives were swayed by consumer opinion and the rear-wheel drive Mustang stayed in production, while the front-wheel drive version was renamed the Ford Probe. Production ended with the introduction of the fourth-generation Mustang (SN-95) for the 1994 model year.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Ford Mustang · Successor: Ford Mustang

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1979–1982

The 1979 model year Mustang used the Fox platform intended by Ford as "a one-size-fits-all [platform] to serve as a two-door sports car and a four-door family car," initially used with the Ford Fairmont and Mercury Zephyr twins that debuted in for model year 1978. "Ford built the 1979 Mustang around a platform it would share with more humble cars in the Lincoln-Mercury-Ford corporate family in order to keep development and construction costs down." Body styles for the Mustang included a 2-door sedan (coupe) and 3-door sedan (hatchback). Two trim levels were available: the base model and the more luxurious Ghia model. The wheelbase was 5 in (127 mm) shorter than the Fairmont/Zephyr series at 100.5 in (2,553 mm) (nearly the same as the outgoing European Ford Capri and over 4 in (102 mm) longer than the Mustang II). Cobra. The Cobra appearance package also made its debut in 1979 and would continue through both the 1980 and 1981 model years. The 1979 Cobra (17,579 produced) featured a black grille, trim, and moldings (except the sail panels that were painted body color), as well as black lower body paint. The door handles, door locks, antenna, and roof drip rail were bright. Color-coordinated dual pinstripes in the wraparound body-side moldings and bumpers, as well as COBRA decals on the doors, were standard. All 1979 Cobras came equipped with a small, center mount non-functional hood scoop (to provide clearance for the air cleaner due to the 2.3 L Turbo extra height). The Cobra hood decal was optional for 1979. Rear spoilers were not included on the 1979 models, as they made their debut on the mid-year introduction of the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car replica. The 1980 Cobra (5,550 produced) and the 1981 Cobra (1,821 produced) received a new front bumper and air dam with fog

1983–1986

While most of the Mustang was carried over in late 1982 for 1983, there were some changes and improvements on the then five-year-old "Fox-platform" model. The front fascia was restyled with a more rounded nose and reshaped grille. New, wider horizontal taillights with dedicated amber turn signals replaced the vertical sectioned units. This was also the first Mustang to use the "Blue Oval" Ford emblem on the exterior, both front and rear. Ford added a convertible to the Mustang line for 1983, after a nine-year absence. The majority of the convertibles were equipped with the new 3.8 L (232 cu in) Essex which replaced the 3.3 L (200 cu in) I6 engine. The small block 302 cu in (4.9 L) V8 engine received a four-barrel carburetor and a new intake manifold, bringing power to 175 hp (130 kW). The 2.3 L four-cylinder Turbo also returned mid-year 1983, now fuel-injected, and producing 145 hp (108 kW). Sales of the Turbo GT were hurt by a higher base price and lower performance than the 4.9 L (302 cu in). For 1984, the GL and GLX were dropped, leaving the L, GT, and Turbo GT while adding new additions, the LX and SVO. Ford also recognized the 20th anniversary of the Mustang with the G.T.350, essentially a limited run of GTs and Turbo GTs. A total of 5,261 G.T.350 hatchback and convertible models were built, all trimmed with Oxford White exteriors and Canyon Red interiors. They featured red G.T.350 rocker stripes and tri-bar Pony emblems on the front fenders. Two 302 cu in (4.9 L) V8 engines were available, a carbureted version (with manual transmission only), or a new 165 hp (123 kW) electronically fuel-injected engine (with automatic transmission only). A new "Quadra-Shock" rear suspension, which replaced the slapper bars with horizontally mounted axle shocks, became available a

Mexico

The Fox body Mustang was manufactured in Ford's Cuatitlan Itzcalli plant (located in Mexico City) from 1979 to 1984. Both the coupe and the hatchback body styles were offered. These Mexican-built Mustangs had a hybrid appearance from 1981 until 1984, using some Mercury Capri body parts. 1979–1982. The 1981 and 1982 models (coupe and hatchback) received horizontally ribbed Capri taillights, plus a Capri front fascia for the 1982 model. 1983–1984 coupe. The 1983 model had a Capri front fascia, whereas the 1984 model had the standard Mustang front fascia. A 1984 SVO coupe was also offered complete with SVO taillights. 1983–1984 hatchback. The Capri body style was used for the 1983–1984 hatchback models which featured a "bubble" glass hatch liftgate, Capri taillights, and Capri wide fenders, although 1984 models had the regular Mustang front fascia. An SVO option was available for the 1984 model.

Proposed replacement

By the mid-1980s, Mustang sales were slumping. Sales were over 100,000 units a year, but were minimal compared to previous numbers. Ford believed that the Mustang had lost its place in the market. They subsequently announced that they would replace the rear-wheel drive Mustang with a Mazda-derived front-wheel-drive version. Mustang fans quickly responded and sent Ford hundreds of thousands of letters, asking them to continue production of the rear-wheel drive Mustang. Ford responded by continuing production of the rear-wheel drive Mustang, and proceeded to rename the front-wheel-drive version as the Probe, which ended up being a replacement for the Escort-based Ford EXP.

1987–1993

In August 1986, the Mustang received a facelift for the 1987 model year on both the interior and exterior. The front end was restyled to look more like the SVO which gave the car more of an "Aero" look, in keeping with Ford's overall modern styling direction. The interior received an all-new dash, center console, and revised seat and door trim. With the SVO discontinued, models were now pared down to LX and GT. Taillights on the LX were revised with clear lenses for the turn signals while the GT now wore specific body-colored triple-louvered lenses. The quarter glass windows lost their louvers and now sported a single larger flush piece of glass lettered with "Mustang" at the bottom rear corners. The GT models featured new round fog lamps and gained aerodynamic lower bodyside skirting as well as new turbine style 15-inch (380 mm) wheels. The 302 cu in (4.9 L) Mustangs became popular with the aftermarket performance industry. The V6 option was discontinued while the 2.3 L four-cylinder gained fuel injection, leaving only the 2.3 L four-cylinder and the 302 cu in (4.9 L) V8. V8-powered Mustangs received E7TE heads and forged aluminum pistons with valve reliefs in 1987, as opposed to the flat-tops used in the previous year. The E7 cylinder heads were sourced from the truck line after the 1986 swirl-port design demonstrated performance problems. Power ratings increased to 225 hp (168 kW) and 300 ft⋅lbf (410 N⋅m) of torque. No major changes were seen for 1988, although the T-top roof option for hatchbacks was discontinued midyear. For 1989, the Mustang's speed density computer system was replaced with a mass air system (1988 Mustangs sold in California also had the MAF system). This change slightly reduced factory horsepower, but it made Mustangs much easier to modify. With

Production figures

*For 1986, the total production of notchbacks and convertibles is 106,720. Separate production figures were not provided.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Ford Mustang (third generation)

aka

Ford T5 (Germany)

Manufacturer

Ford

Predecessor

Ford Mustang (second generation)

Successor

Ford Mustang (fourth generation)

Production

1978 – 26 August 1993

Model years

1979–1993

Body style

2-door convertible, 2-door coupe, 3-door hatchback

Class

Pony car

Layout

FR layout

Assembly

United States: Dearborn, Michigan (Ford River Rouge Complex); Milpitas, California (San Jose Assembly Plant), Mexico: Cuautitlán Izcalli (Cuautitlán Assembly); Mexico City (La Villa Assembly), Venezuela: Valencia (Valencia Assembly)

Wheelbase

100.5 in

Length

179.6 in

Width

1979–82: 67.4 in, 1983–90: 69.1 in, 1991–93: 68.3 in

Height

1979–82: 51.5 in, 1983–84: 51.9 in, 1985–93: 52.1 in

Kerb weight

Coupe, 1980: 2608 lb, 1983: 2684 lb, 1987: 2724 lb, Hatchback, 1980: 2642 lb, 1983: 2744 lb, 1987: 2782 lb, Convertible, 1987: 2921 lb

Platform

Ford Fox platform

Related

Ford Durango, Ford Fairmont, Ford Granada, Ford LTD, Ford Thunderbird (80–82), Ford Thunderbird (83–88), Mercury Capri, Mercury Cougar (80–82), Mercury Cougar (83–88), Mercury Marquis, Mercury Zephyr, Lincoln Continental, Lincoln Mark VII

Engine

2.3 L Lima I4, 2.3 L Lima turbo I4, 200 cuin Thriftpower I6, 2.8 L Cologne V6, 3.8 L Essex V6, 255 cuin small block V8, 302 cuin "5.0" small block V8

Transmission

Four or five-speed manual, Three or four-speed automatic

Designer

Jack Telnack (1976)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5467869CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Mustang_(third_generation)CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1376331346 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ford_Mustang_convertible.jpgPublic domain · Photo: IFCAR · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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